How Was The Grand Canyon Formed

One of the first questions people have about the Grand Canyon is how was the Grand Canyon formed? The story is one that spans millions of years. Some of the rock of the Grand Canyon is even older. At the bottom of the Grand Canyon, there is rock that dates back to the Precambrian era. Approximately three hundred million years after its formation, the rock was lifted up into a mountain range reaching as high as six miles. This is comparable to the Himalayas mountain range. Erosion turned the rock into a plateau which once again rose to mountainous heights. Millions of more years went by and the mountains were chipped away by wind and water.

Our First View of the Grand Canyon


The entire range of mountains ended up underwater where shellfish were fossilized. The result was a layer of shale on top of the sunken mountains. The entire region rose again to great heights, with the oceanic layer on top. This was approximately six million years ago. The Colorado River began its work, cutting and eroding the rock for millions of years until the canyon became what we see today. The canyon is approximately a mile in depth, 277 miles in length and 4 to 18 miles in width. Prehistoric tribes lived in the caves of the canyon for ages before European explorers discovered the canyon.

The first European to see the Grand Canyon was a Spanish explorer, Garcia Lopez de Cardenas. He arrived at the canyon in the year 1540. Despite the European exploration, the canyon remained largely unexplored until after the Civil War. Major John Wesley Powell was a one armed veteran who took a group of boats down the length of the canyon. Two of the boats were lost, but Powell completed his journey. In the 1880s a charismatic man named John Hance started taking tour groups into the canyon, a practice that is still done today.

The answer to how was the Grand Canyon formed is one of history and heritage. Along with the millions of years worth of erosion and climate changes, there are also historical American landmarks. The Kolb studio and ever-popular El Tovar Hotel date all the way back to 1904. Other historic buildings worth visiting while at the Grand Canyon National Park include the Desert View Watchtower and Bright Angel Lodge which were built in the 1930s.



Grand Canyon News:
United States Mint, National Park Service to Kick Off Fall Season with Grand Canyon National Park Quarter
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The brilliant colors and panoramic landscapes of the Grand Canyon will be the backdrop as the United States Mint and National Park Service introduce the fourth coin in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program. The new quarter-dollar coin, featuring Grand Canyon National Park, will be officially presented at a ceremony on September 21 at 1:30 p.m ...


Paradise Found: Redlands Mesa Golf Community Unveils Distinctive New Golfers Dream Home
Redlands Mesa Golf Community, the award-winning golfing enclave located in Grand Junction, Colorado, has announced the completion of the much anticipated Golfers Dream Home built by Hinsdale Homes. Situated on the 9th Fairway with panoramic views of the Grand Mesa, the newly built custom home combines luxury, lifestyle and affordability. The Redlands Mesa Sales Office can arrange times for ...


McArthur wins WAC honor
Former Snow Canyon volleyball standout Liz McArthur has been named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday. McArthur was also named the America First Credit Union Utah State Student-Athlete of the Week...


Police log
No information to report. 11:22 a.m. 200 block of American Canyon Road EUR” Officers responded for a welfare check. 7:16 p.m. 100 block of Ford Drive EUR” Officers responded for an assault...


Grand Canyon's future at 'grave risk,' report says
Grand Canyon's future at 'grave risk,' report says..


Today's Sports Calendar
Another week of prep action kicks off. Todays Local Sports Girls soccer Canyon View at Cedar, 4 p.m. Parowan at Grand, 4 p.m. Dixie at Pine View, 7:30 p.m...

517 - Grand Canyon « my test blog
Interior Dimensions H- 9 x D- 5.25 x W - 11.5 inches (22.5 x 13.1 x 28.75 cm) The Grand Canyon comes with several adjustable dividers and a U shaped padded lens cradle, providing two convenient ways to load your SLR body. ...


Facts from a Fact Woman: Randomness- From the Grand Canyon to San .
The Grand Canyon is so awesome that you really can't even describe it and pictures can't begin to show how amazing it really is. Here's my daughter standing at the side of the canyon. There was no railing right here, just a straight ...


Bushnell Binoculars » Grand Canyon Facts
The Grand Canyon is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Colorado River carved the rocks of the canyon expose 2000000000 years of Earth history ', including Proterozoic and Paleozoic strata. It 'a wonderful example of wear, ...


Grand Canyon South Rim | Roland's Ramblings
Well, just a bit over a month from my wet waterful trip, I will be taking another trip but to the opposite side of North America into the dry desert chasm of the Grand Canyon National Park South Rim. Located in The American Southwest, ...



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